Articles Tagged: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Iowa’s all-Republican U.S. House delegation is urging Senate Democrats to back a bipartisan plan to reopen the government, warning that the 20-day shutdown is hurting families, farmers and veterans across the state. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans are refusing to negotiate over what he called a looming health care crisis at the center of the government shutdown stalemate.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is warning Iowans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits that November funds may not be issued onto SNAP cards as the federal government shutdown approaches its third week with no end in sight.

The federal government shutdown hasn’t affected food aid yet, but Iowa’s contingency funding for WIC could run out if the standoff in Washington drags on.

The federal government officially entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. From Social Security checks and SNAP benefits to TSA lines, national parks and veterans’ services — here’s what stays open, what stops, and what’s at risk during a shutdown.

National bus tour rolls through Cedar Rapids to rally opposition to Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package

Iowa State Auditor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand rebuked party labels and fielded questions during a town hall Wednesday in Waukee. It was the first stop of 100 that Sand will make across the state this summer and fall. He’s slated to visit all of Iowa’s 99 counties, including two stops in Lee County, to its two county seats.

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley praised President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" Wednesday as 80-plus Iowa faith leaders warned of devastating impacts on vulnerable populations in Iowa from changes to federal social safety net programs.

Reductions in spending and tightened eligibility requirements on social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance being considered by Republicans in Congress will significantly reduce access to health care and food assistance, impacting thousand of low-income individuals and families across Linn County.

The panel — moderated by Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz — will discuss how changes proposed under the federal reconciliation and tax bill could affect area residents with a special focus on potential cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.

Under the waiver approved by the USDA, starting Jan. 1, 2026, Iowans who receive SNAP won’t be able to use their benefits to purchase items including garden seeds and food-producing plants, candy, gum, soft drinks, lemonade, fruit snacks, certain granola bars and caramel corn.

Doctors, nurses, food bank directors and other social safety net providers across Iowa warn major cuts to public health insurance and food assistance programs could lead to crowded emergency rooms, more rural hospital closures, drained family budgets, overworked providers and reduce care for veterans, seniors and children.

The state is seeking to restrict any food or beverage that qualifies for the state sales tax from purchase with SNAP. That list includes garden seeds, candy, gum, soft drinks and certain granola bars among other items.

The appropriation would be contingent on the U.S. Department of Agriculture approving a waiver for exemptions that would strike certain food products from SNAP eligibility, which food accessibility advocates argue would limit access to food.

Some Iowans receiving state-funded Medicaid coverage and food assistance would be required to work at least 80 hours a month to receive benefits under legislation critics say would put thousands of vulnerable Iowans at risk.

Iowa anti-hunger advocates called on state leaders to participate in a summer federal food benefits program and raise income-eligibility requirements to fight hunger in Iowa.